Just one in 10 youngsters would even consider an office job – instead they are opting for careers which meet their demands for flexibility, fun and the ability to earn as they learn.

Not only is the 9 – 5 desk culture a thing of the past for the millions of school leavers waiting for their A-level results this month, according to the research by Greene King, but increasingly, so is the well-trodden path to university.

Gen Z is keen to get to work right away – their way. Almost half (48%) of 18–24-year-olds said having a good work life balance was the most important factor when choosing a career, followed by plenty of scope for promotion (29%) and instant earning power (18%).

The research further revealed that over four-in-five youngsters (83%) see apprenticeships as every bit as relevant as a university degree and 62% thought they were a much better way of forging ahead into the workplace altogether.

(Image: Greene King / Ted W / Cover Images)

The ability to start earning a wage was one of the biggest strengths of an apprenticeship for 74%, as well as gaining hands on experience (71%) and developing skills for life (54%).

While teens and young people are actually raring to get to work, only 11% will contemplate the restrictions of a full-time office job and a huge 67% want a hybrid working environment. Protecting health and wellbeing is the top priority for 36% for new jobseekers and 35% insist that flexible working is the key to avoiding burnout.

And apprenticeships in the hospitality industry across pubs, restaurants and hotels are proving to be a hot ticket for this year’s A-level cohort. 

Nearly two thirds of young people (63%) believe jobs in hospitality, which is the UK’s third biggest employment sector, offer better financial rewards than some roles which require a three-year degree and the resulting hangover of hefty student loans.

Six in 10 British adults (59%) either currently work in the sector or have done so in some capacity in the past - with four in five saying they had fun and enjoyed the varied and adaptable culture.

Of the 2,000 adults polled on behalf of pub company and brewer Greene King, 71% said conventional working patterns are outdated in the post-pandemic workplace.

Over half (56%) agreed the hospitality industry offered good long term career prospects, with 62% of youngsters said they are considering a role in hospitality – compared to 39% of the over 45’s.

Gen Z saw it as a great opportunity for combining socialising (48%) having fun (46%) and teamwork (41%) and 87% said it would teach them lifelong transferable skills.

In 2022, Greene King pledged to achieve 20,000 apprentices by 2025. The hospitality leader is making steady progress towards this, having supported over 17,000 through its award-winning apprenticeship scheme since 2011. It was awarded a place on the government’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List last month.

 Working in a dynamic environment at both entry level and management, apprentices work towards a series of qualifications as they progress throughout their career – either front of house or behind the scenes.

Greene King's Graham Briggs said: “There is a clearly recognisable shift in the way young people in Britain are viewing their careers, as flexibility, fun, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance take precedence over traditional working patterns.

 "This trend could lead to millions more young people considering a career in hospitality, which offers them a viable, and great alternative to university."

For more information about Greene King apprenticeships and roles, visit: https://jobs.greeneking.co.uk/